Handbook 652 Body Electrical Diagnosis Wire Identification Besides being shown in color, wire colors are also indicated by an alphabetical code next to each of the wires. The first letter represents the basic wire color, and the second letter indicates the color of the “ stripe ” on the wire. • Color Codes As you look at the list of color codes, note that the color blue uses the letter “ L ” to distinguish it from the letter “ B ” used for “black.” The color purple uses the letter “V” ( for violet) to distinguish it from the letter” P” used for pink . • Component Pigtails The wire colors of component pigtails (such as on a tail lamp) are not shown in the EWD .
The colors in the EWD represent the vehicle harness up to where it is connected to the component. • Silver Bands on the Wire Insulation On some wires you will find small silver “bands.” These bands (which are not shown on the wiring diagram) indicate that the wire uses a PVC insulation . This insulation is lighter in weight and thinner than the normal insulation, making the wire diameter appear smaller than it actually is. (It may look like a 20 gauge wire on the outside, but is really 16 gauge when the wire strands are examined.) 68 Technical Training